One, Two, Three…

Greta went to the Veterinarian on Thursday. I could hardly wait to go because I wanted to see how she was doing and what Dr. Julie thought of her growing belly. I somehow felt that perhaps those three little puppies weren’t growing well enough and that they might need extra food or something when they came into this world.

You see, I just don’t think that Greta looks all that big. I mean, yes, she has definitely grown in girth, but she doesn’t look like a pot bellied pig or anything.

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However, Dr. Julie was thrilled with Greta. My little girl had gained over 2 ½ pounds, and when Dr. Julie suggested we do an x-ray, I agreed. After all, I wanted to make sure those three puppies didn’t need a road map or anything, to find their way out.

They took Greta off to x-ray her and after a few minutes Dr. Julie came running up the stairs. “Do you know how many there are?” she asked. I shook my head. “Five for certain and I think I see a sixth head!!!” She wanted to do one more x-ray and since Greta was being very cooperative she did it. Then the Vet brought the x-rays up and I got to see the babies.

One, two, three, four, five heads, five wavy strings of pearls (spines), and the hint of another head and spine under Greta’s own. It was so sweet, so beautiful, that I cried!

I brought Greta home with all of the new information I had gleaned. Sometime after the 4th of December I should really watch out for the signs of labor. The first one being a dip in her temperature. (Normal temperature for a dog is 101+ and it will dip to 98-99)

Tomorrow I go to get the last of the supplies I need, a few groceries and then come back home. I think between Hubby and me, we can make sure she isn’t alone for long.

So there is our news! Five, count ’em, FIVE puppies are on the way (possibly six)!!!

Wooooo-Hooooo!!!

Thursday 13 #30

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My Year In Review

1. Hubby skied until the 12th of January, then the Orthopedic Surgeon stopped him until after both of his knees were replaced.
2. February 19th my beloved Shubi passed away. I still miss that sweet dog!
3. In March, Hubby had the first of his knee surgeries. This one included a great deal of bone grafting.
4. April was a quieter month. Mostly we spent it getting the trees ready for the spring, and Hubby ready for his next surgery.
5. At the end of May Hubby had his right knee replaced. The surgery went well and he seemed to bounce back quickly.
6. The care and upkeep of my garden and the fruit trees not only kept me busy, but truly delighted me.
7. Summer, oh summer, how I loved thee! Sunshine, growing fruit and vegetables and actually enjoying the fruits of my labor!
8. My eye surgery came along in August. I was so nervous about it’s outcome, but needless to say, I am really thankful that the operation was a success and my vision was restored.
9. Greta was presented to the German judge, and received the highest score. I was so happy!
10. Greta finally got lucky and got together with her boyfriend, Bernie. Yes, the pitter patter of little feet will soon be heard in our home!
11. It seems that November was a birthday celebration month. Although my birthday was on the 17th, I had a surprise party on the 4th, birthday presents that came in all month long and another birthday party with my daughter, Hubby and cousin on my birthday! Yay, birthdays!!!
12. I’ve had the fun of watching my slender Greta getting bigger and bigger as the puppies grow inside.
13. Another 7 to 10 days and the pups will be here!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.


The Dog Days Of Pregnancy

**Update Below**
***Another Update Below***

Looking back on the final days of my pregnancies I remember feeling uncomfortable, grouchy and exhausted. After watching Greta the last 24 hours I can safely say, she feels the same way. So I have coined a new phrase for pregnancy.

The Dog Days Of Pregnancy

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It certainly describes how I felt and what I am watching now. She tosses, she moves around, she sleeps for a bit, moves around again and then attempts to sleep some more. Yes, just watching her makes me want to cuddle and comfort my girl.

Of course a dogs pregnancy is compressed into such a short time, 58-62 days. Those little puppies grow so fast that by the time she actually knows she has those “biscuits in the oven” they are kicking and swimming around in there and then popping out.

Still each day when I look at my girl flipped over on her back, I can’t help but feel a little nostalgia for the days when I could feel my babies swimming around inside of me.

Meanwhile, it won’t be long now until Greta becomes a full time Mommy.

**We do plan to keep a puppy if Greta has a little girl as sweet as she is. (big smile!) Now we need to think of A names for the puppies. As this is Greta’s first litter, all the puppies must be given A names since the German Dachshund Club requires this. So think away!**

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nycgadgetgirl asked “The club mandates that all the names of pups from a mom’s first litter start with A? Doesn’t that mean there are an inordinate number of Dachshunds with A names running around in Germany? Do they have any name requirements for subsequent litters?”

My answer: “Yes. They follow the Alphabet, so Greta’s next litters will be B, C, D etc. The way they tell each dog apart is by Kennel name. Greta’s babies will be “Dackel Princess” Andy or “Dackel Princess” Anja.
At first it made no sense to me either, but when I realized that only registered Kennels could breed and register dogs, it made a lot of sense. Very orderly. (Alles imordnung)

As The Stomach Turns…

The after Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches seem to be getting to me. (burp!) During the afternoon on Monday, I began to literally feel quite ill. Not the “uh-oh, I have food poisoning” kind of ill, but the “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” kind of ill.

I started with a tall glass of Alka Seltzer. I swear it made me feel even worse. Next I tried some Tums and even those couldn’t cure the beast brewing bile in my belly. Then I tried some Pepto. Nothing was working at all, so I decided to just quit eating.

Well, technically I didn’t quit. I made myself a bowl of Cream of Wheat for dinner and some toast. I’d hoped that would sit okay, but I could feel those little gurgles that told me, all was not well.

The thing is, I’m having to face the fact that I’m just getting old. (At least my stomach is, anyway.) I simply cannot eat what I used to. I’ve always loved spicy foods, in fact, the spicier the better, but lately I’m lucky if I can hack salt and pepper on my eggs. So what gives?

There simply has to be an up side to getting old. I mean, you get wrinkles, gray hair, a bulging waistline, and arthritis. Now I have to suffer the inability to eat spicy food as well? This just isn’t fair!

Somehow your golden years should be full of wild parties, spicy foods and food orgies, the ones that you couldn’t indulge in during your youth because those oh so small and derrière hugging jeans would simply not allow it.

Nearing the age of 50, one should be able to enjoy their life, and eat what they want, without the repercussions of acid reflux.

When (if), I get to Heaven I plan to have a really serious talk with the “Big Guy” about the design of the average middle aged woman!

Greta Isn’t Little Anymore!

My little girl isn’t so little anymore. Despite her growing belly, I look at her every day and I think maybe she isn’t really pregnant. Maybe this is one of those phantom pregnancies.

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You remember me, I’m the one who always convinces myself that it’s really nothing?

Today, Bernie’s owner came up to do some paper work with me. She hadn’t seen Greta since the breeding back in October. She was amazed at how much Greta had expanded! She was really thrilled. We talked about our perspective grand puppies, and laughed and joked a lot.

She brought her little 7 month old female wire, named Vila, who just went into heat. Vila is adorable. She is a black and red wire, with much the same type of personality as my Greta. She also fell in love with Mr. Fritz and wanted nothing more than to run around the back yard with him. Sadly, as she is in heat, she is on a very short leash!

After Barbie left, I looked at Greta and snapped a few pictures of her. Looking at them, I have to agree, Greta has really gotten big!

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Maybe it’s not all in my mind, after all.

‘Tis The Season…

The interesting part of Thanksgiving in America is that, the day after everyone eats like crazy for one holiday, they start planning the next one.

I always thought I was immune from this until today. My cousin Janet came up, Emily came over and we all went to a wonderful Christmas fair, out to lunch and then on to the Outlet Mall where we literally hit every store, searching for gifts.

I was rather productive with my shopping, finding gifts for my daughter and one for my friend. I also found some new pants and a shirt for myself. Janet got a few things, but the best buy was a cute pair of jeans that Emily got for ten bucks!

However, the fact that I was standing in incredibly long lines, simply boggled my mind. At one point in the Jockey store I wanted to buy myself some new bloomers, but the lines were 5 deep and simply not moving. I can wait another month or so for new knickers, so I put the packages back and left the store.

Most people were in a good mood for shopping. People laughed and smiled and were polite. All, but the one woman who wanted to steal the parking place we had been patiently waiting for. She made certain hand gestures that proved she was simply not a lady!

Tonight I sit here, exhausted but happily so. I’ve pulled my Christmas boxes down from the attic, and tomorrow I may just start finding places to put out a Santa Claus doll or two!

Maribeth’s Punch

The day before make an ice circle in a jello mold. In the mold place maraschino cherries, frozen blueberries, sliced oranges, limes, lemons, and pour over enough ginger ale to cover all the fruit.

5 min 5 min prep

1- 12 ounce can of frozen Lemonade
1- 12 ounce can of frozen Orange juice
1- 12 ounce can of frozen Limeade
1/4 gallon of orange sherbet
1- 2 liter bottle diet 7-Up
1 bottle Martini’s Alcohol Free Sparkling Cider (white grape is best)

I assure you now. Make this for your next party and there won’t be a drop left!

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Photo courtesy of my cousin, Fond of Photography

Fabulous Friday!

While we recover from eating all that turkey, stuffing and apple pie, we thought that today’s entry could come to you via Beth over at “Diary of a Playgroup Dropout”. She is featuring Greta this week on Fabulous Friday! Go on over and say “Hi” to Beth and check out the adorable Miss Greta in her pre-pregnancy days!